Pascall+Watson’s ongoing work with the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) began in 2013 with a comprehensive masterplan study and 10-year development and estates strategy plan unifying all four campuses.

Over the last nine years we have continuously worked with UCA to realise and develop these strategy plans into tangible schemes. A key driver for the project team has been to maximise the potential of the creative community, encouraging interaction, innovation and inclusivity, forming a creative hub for all and the universities mission and values were central to this.

Satinder Bancil, Director said, “Our work on masterplanning future-proofs the facilities to provide an enhanced offering to students and realises the University’s vision to be recognised as a global authority on creative arts, creative technologies and business for the creative industries.”

The Farnham Campus has its own Student Village on campus as well as the brand new Pascall+Watson designed accommodation blocks that opened in September 2021. Next to the Film & Media Centre and library, University Walk comprises of five linear buildings, each with their own identity, taken from local vernacular and colour palettes which extend from the outside in, providing more than 250 state-of-the-art en-suite bedroom units.

In addition to the student accommodation buildings themselves, Pascall+Watson were responsible for the concept, and design strategy of the connecting landscaping at the Farnham campus, ensuring the scheme responds to its picturesque setting whilst prioritising connectivity and enhancing the wellbeing of students.

One year on, Samantha Brewer, Associate returned to see how the landscaping was bedding in and how the students are enjoying and using these new spaces.

“The steeply sloping site presented both challenges and opportunities, and the landscaping design was key to our proposals. We introduced elements which targeted improving the health and wellbeing of the students, providing external meeting and study spaces, quiet contemplation areas and rest stops. It has been fantastic to see the landscaping looking so vibrant following the heat and droughts of the summer, which is a testament to the planting design choices undertaken by The Landscape Partnership.”